$4,780 raised
·72 donations
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Medical expenses for Mongan family

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This is a picture of my FEMA coworker Karla and her husband Mike. Mike is 53. Karla and Mike have been married 25 years. They have 3 kids and 12 grandchildren living and 1 who died at 4 months. In June Karla was deployed to work the disaster in Texas. Mike was in good health when she left. In August he brought his granddaughter to Texas to visit and he wasn't feeling well, fatigued, cough and sore throat. When he returned home he went to the doctor. After several visits and medications the did a CAT scan, blood work, and x-rays.      On October 29th Karla went home on medical leave only to find a totally different man. A CAT scan showed cancer so a PET scan was done and confirmed he had cancer in his lungs, liver, esophagus, ribs, pelvis, spine lymph nodes and numerous other bones. They did a liver biopsy to confirm type and growth rate but the answers were inconclusive so they did a lung biopsy. This biopsy confirmed Stage 4 lung cancer. Mike's cancer is inoperable. Radiation is not an option because Mike's cancer is so widespread. The cancer is aggressive and spreads fast. The only treatment they can do is chemo in hopes of slowing the progress and helping with his pain.
   Karla says Mike is in constant pain and hardly sleeps . They did surgery to place a port in his chest for easy access for his chemo treatments, blood work and medication. He just completed his first round of chemo. He will take treatments every 21 days for 3 days. Once a week on Sundays they go to the hospital for blood work. On Friday's they go in for Mike's shot to reduce the side affects from his chemo. 
   Mike has lost 40 pounds so far and continues to lose weight. Last week he lost 12 pounds in 1 week. He has been on oxygen full-time since August, cannot walk on his own and requires help with his everyday activities.
   Mike was a self-employed general contractor and can no longer work. Karla works with FEMA as a reservist which is a part-time on call position. When deployed with FEMA Karla is a Voluntary Agency Liaison. I've had the opportunity to see her on the job and she loves what she does. As a reservist she is not eligible for Family Medical Leave. They currently have no income and have almost depleted their savings due to all the tests, biopsies, medication, and treatments and the process has just begun.
   Due to Mike being self-employed and Karla's work with FEMA they have to provide their own medical insurance and cannot let it lapse. All money raised will be used for medical expenses, insurance and getting to and from appointments.
   Mike's cancer is terminal. Without the chemo he was given approximately 2 months. With chemo they hope to extend his life some in a meaningful and humanitarian way. I hope you can help give Karla and Mike a break from some of their financial worries.
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    Organizer and beneficiary

    Kerri R. Randle
    Organizer
    Missoula, MT
    Karla Mongan
    Beneficiary

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